Germany hit by nationwide disruption to card payments

Germany has been hit by a nationwide disruption to card payments, apparently due to a fault at an IT service provider, meaning shoppers across the country have been restricted to using cash to buy goods.

Debit and credit cards have been affected since the early morning, and there have also been problems reported when trying to take cash out from cash machines.

The use of German credit and debit cards outside the country has also been disrupted, according to the German Banking Industry Committee.

A cyberattack can be ruled out based on current knowledge, said a spokesman for the industry association.

The disruption is attributed to problems with First Data, an IT service provider owned by the US group Fiserv, a company spokesman said. The firm is working hard to fix the issue and will let its customers know as soon as possible, he added.

Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) said it is aware of "disruptions in card payment transactions at various financial institutions" and is "in contact with those affected and relevant authorities."

"We are currently analyzing the facts of the case, and the nature and extent of the disruption," it said.